25 Creative Ways to Promote Your Website Offline

November 5, 2010

Sometimes, it’s easier for us to remember to promote our businesses online, especially since we’re probably online a good portion of the day anyway. But what we tend to forget is before the World Wide Web, all we had was the physical world of business.

Even with the prevalence of online promotion, I think we should also get back to our roots and work those tried and true methods that haven’t failed us yet and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

So do you think you’ve exhausted all the ways to promote your website in the offline world? Probably not! And yes, I’m guilty of not doing more of these too so this is a reminder for me as well. This list should give us new ideas and hopefully inspires more creative ways to market our websites offline!

Kesha’s Top 5, regardless of what your business is or who you market to…

Open your mouth – Do your friends and family know you are in business? Do your neighbors, local grocery store, or that Starbucks you’re in everyday know what you do? Have you practiced your 30 second “elevator pitch” enough that you recite it in your sleep? This method is by far – hands down – the easiest, fastest, and best way to promote your business – tell people about it! Come on, don’t be shy.
Email signatures – Even though email usage may be going down per recent reports, we still have to send and receive email. Your email signature can be customized to display anything you want, including your company logo.
Business cards – At my last networking event, I was shocked by the number of people who were representing themselves as businesses but didn’t have business cards. Business are cheaper than eggs (okay, not exactly but almost!) and are very effective marketing tools. Be unique and creative with them and get noticed even more. People keep and remember unique cards; I know I do.
Co-marketing with other businesses – find other businesses to swap marketing with. For instance, you both agree to include the other’s promotional materials in outgoing mail or whatever else that makes sense for the partnership. Another example of co-marketing is placing business cards in each other’s store.
Branded stationary – let’s not forget that your website address should be on all branded materials you use for your business including letterhead, envelopes, business forms, fax cover sheets, thank you cards, brochures, and sales literature you distribute.

The following are additional great ways to market your website offline, in no particular order.

Bookmarks – I for one love collecting funny, creative bookmarks and every time I look at it I see that company’s brand.
Speaking engagements – yes you. Join Toastmaster’s if you’re not comfortable speaking in front of others or have someone on your staff do it.
Increase customer interaction – create contests, offer incentives (read: bribe!), create a referral program, give out awards like Customer of the Month, etc.
Radio and print ads
Billboards and other signs (buses and trains)
Movie theatre ads
Local cable channels
Yellow Pages – yes some people still use them; surprised?
Media opportunities including press releases and interviews by radio stations and newspapers
Advertising in local free newspapers and local business directories
Community sponsorships (local activities, sports, non-profit charities, and other events)
In local establishments including your Chamber of Commerce, local groups and associations and of course other businesses.
The cork boards in grocery stores, coffee shops, libraries, gyms, etc.
On branded promotional items (pens, notepads, clothing, hats, bags, etc.)
Voice mail and on hold messages
Lawn signs
On company cars
Hang up flyers and posters around town
Cold calling – yes, I know many of us hate this one but if it works for your industry, go for it!
Controversial PR is PR nonetheless – just don’t go overboard!

Where else do you promote your website and what ways have been very successful for you?

About Kesha Brown

Kesha is the Creative Director and Principal Web Designer at her company XD Web Solutions who specializes in helping small businesses and organizations maximize their online presence. Go ahead and follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

12 Comments to “25 Creative Ways to Promote Your Website Offline”

October 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm
STL Beds
Twitter: STLBeds
says:

Kesha this might be down the same avenue as Co-marketing with other businesses but I really believe that Customer Referrals is a great way of marketing my business and is a very legitimate strategy. I tell them there is no better way to say you like my products and services than by sending people that you care about to do business with businesses that you trust. My father has built a 25 year old business on it.
Jaypee I like the T-Shirt Idea.
Thnx Doug Belleville

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Hey Doug! Thanks for your feedback and visiting!

You are spot on! Referral marketing/word of mouth/viral marketing are all strategies that consist of others promoting you. People trust the opinions of their network and when you’re referred, it creates a “soft trust” if you will of you from the perspective of the person referred.

Your father’s genius idea has truly proven to be successful!

Talk soon!
~Kesha

[Reply]
October 11, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Veronica Cervera says:

This reminded me not to focus on online marketing but also engage in traditional way of marketing. It’s true that nowadays, most people refer to the internet in searching for products but there are still people who don’t have access to the internet. It’s better to have a balance marketing strategy to maximize sales and product exposure. Nice work Kesha!

[Reply]
October 7, 2011 at 9:38 am
Stu Gray
Twitter: stugray
says:

Great ideas! I know for certain that as bloggers we have something to offer traditional media – I have spent most of my career in radio – and many shows are looking for great content and help to fill their time – or be an “expert” on a certain subject.

Its a matter of finding the decision maker behind the show – on most talk stations, the personality has the final yes or no decision, but the producer of the show is the contact you need.

It could be as simple as calling the front desk of your (local) station and asking for the voicemail of the producer of “xxx” show.
Stu Gray recently posted..Stupendous Marriage Show 015: Steve Jobs, Sexual Surrender and Budgets

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
October 9th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
@Stu, thanks so much for your feedback on how to tap into the radio market for marketing and promotions. It still is a viable strategy depending on one’s target.

I’m also checking out your site and podcasts – can’t wait to delve in

[Reply]
July 2, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Joyce Brewer
Twitter: mommytalkshow
says:

My next Vistaprint order will include magnets for the side of my car. My target audience is moms so it will help get some attention when I’m headed to play dates, pre-school or the grocery store.

I also keep business cards in my pockets, coupon holder, car cup holder, baby bag and anywhere they’ll fit. You know never know when you’ll strike up a conversation with someone who could become a reader or a client. I just gave my card to a mom of 3 boys I saw at the grocery store because I thought she’d like to win a giveaway and treat herself to something pretty!

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Joyce, oh how nice to think of her for your giveaway. You’re right also to note that you never know where you might need to give out a card – put some in the baby’s pockets as well!

I’m redesigning my cards sometime soon to get with the program and have my social networks on them (since my current ones are over a year old)…

I wanna see pics of your car too when you get your magnets. How fun!

Sorry for the late response, girl, but it’s been a crazy 2 weeks!

Talk to ya soon!!

[Reply]
December 13, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Jaypee Habaradas says:

Nice article. There are several methods here you’ve mentioned that I haven’t tried or never thought about before, so thanks for sharing them. Btw, here are a couple other ways of promoting your website/blog offline:

1. A custom-made t-shirt that has your logo/mascot and URL on it. You can wear it yourself or give them away to family and friends.
2. Car stickers containing your logo/mascot and URL. It has a high visibility rate especially if the car you put it on travels a lot. You can put it on your car, family and friend’s cars, etc.

[Reply]
XD Web Solutions Reply:
December 13th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Hey Jaypee, I’m loving the t-shirt idea! I’ve been thinking about giveaways lately, especially for my best referrers, and that would be a good idea. People like free clothing and t-shirts are an inexpensive way to provide it

[Reply]
Jaypee Habaradas Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Thanks! I’ve had that idea for quite a while now, just didn’t have the time to implement it. I’m still working on my business cards design for now. Once I’m done with that, then I’ll probably work on the tshirt and car stickers.

[Reply]
Jaypee Habaradas Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Thanks! I’ve had that idea for quite a while now, just didn’t have the time to implement it. I’m still working on my business cards design for now. Once I’m done with that, then I’ll probably work on the tshirt and car stickers.

[Reply]
Stu Gray
Twitter: stugray
Reply:
October 9th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
@Jaypee Habaradas, and @Kesha – If you don’t know about Roy H. Williams – he has a great weekly “memo” he puts out – he calls himself the “Wizard of Ads” because he’s an advertising guru.

Point being – he started writing his memo, and advertising it with a simple t-shirt he wore around his town. It had the name – it was something different then, and the phone number for a voicemail memo (he eventually went online with the memo).

http://mondaymorningmemo.com/newsletters/latest is the website…Your conversation reminded me of how he started!
Stu Gray recently posted..3 Ways: To Initiate Sex with your Spouse